A Sabbath Day's Journey

​"Either you're coming or you're not!" "Either you're leaving us or you're not!" Those statements obviously have an either/or ring to them. They give two choices. Either a person is in a place or the person is not in a place.

But with Jesus there seems to be a third category. He told his disciples that he would be leaving. And then he tells them that he is coming to them. Well, which one is it?

It sounds like he is going away and then coming back. And certainly that happened at his death and resurrection. But it also happens when he ascended into heaven but then comes when his words are spoken. And that is an emphasis on this account when Jesus blesses those who have not seen and yet believe (on account of these words that have been written; John 20:31).

The gospel text for this Sunday contains Jesus' first use of the word 'paraklete'--not parakeet--by Jesus (John 14:16). It is defined as someone who appears in another's behalf, a mediator, intercessor, helper (BDAG). It's an important word. There is also a history of the word being connected to the job of lawyer or advocate, and that is a person who uses a LOT of words.

It is also important to remember that Jesus implies that he is a helper as well; it is not just the Holy Spirit who uses words.

In the first chapter of this Gospel account, when it says that Jesus is going to be around for a little while, it uses the very unusual term of 'tenting' among us (1:14). That assumes only a short, fragile if you will, stay. Later in the work, Jesus says that he is going to remain. More specifically, in 14:23 Jesus says that 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.' The idea of staying for a long while is pretty clear there.

It is interesting that, at the beginning of the chapter, Jesus used the same word for 'home' when he said that 'in my Father's house are many rooms.' Jesus says he is going to prepare a place for us there. Here the word is translated as 'room' because it would sound a little strange for Jesus to say 'in my Father's house are many homes'.

But there is a comforting ring to the word 'home'. I think that is why the translators use it there. And Jesus' words (and actions) are meant to be extremely comforting. Being at home with Jesus--wherever Jesus is--that is truly comforting.

His words mean his presence--his presence in a way that he decides, and he wants to be present in a very gentle and comforting way.